Garde Stage Announces Regional Talent Show 1/29

The Garde Arts Center is proud to announce its first regional performing arts variety showcase, called "Take the Stage," in conjunction with the Annual Hygienic Art xxII on Saturday, January 29, starting at 2 pm at the Garde Theater at 325 State Street in downtown New London. The event will feature a roster of amateur and professional performers who respond to an open invitation to apply online or at the Garde Box Office by January 20. Following in the spirit of the Hygienic's "Salon des Indépendants," the event is open to the general public with patrons choosing their own admission price. Patrons can pre-purchase tickets online to the event by becoming a Premiere Patron for $20. Premiere Patron tickets include the patron's name listed in the event program, email updates on the event and free concessions coupons.

Modeled in part after the "no judge, no jury" public art exhibition at Hygienic Arts, "Take the Stage" participation is open without audition to anyone regardless of experience or age who has dreamed about performing on the stage of the historic 1450-seat Garde Theater. Performers can be musicians, magicians, singers, choirs, acrobats, dancers, jugglers, tappers, rappers, poets, comics, storytellers, actors or other entertainers. The performance segments will range from three to 12 minutes depending on the number of participants. Audience members are welcome to photograph, record and webcast segments of the show.

"We are thrilled to open up the Garde on January 29 for "Take the Stage" to put the spotlight on anyone who wishes to perform in our beautiful theater," Garde Executive Director Steve Sigel said. "This is going to be an amazing collection of raw and polished, known and undiscovered talent. We will be partnering with the Hygienic, other arts organizations, schools and talent promoters to help invite performers and program the events."

The concept for "Take the Stage" came about when Garde staff, noticing that for the first time in many years the theater was not being used during the night of the annual Hygienic art show, chose to produce a complementary event based on open public participation. The Garde will also be hosting the annual Young Hygienic art show in the Garde Gallery at the corner of State and Meridian streets.

Those interested in performing must fill out and submit a Talent Questionnaire by January 20. The questionnaire is available online at takethestage.gardearts.org, for download on the Garde Web site at www.gardearts.org or at the Garde Box Office at 325 State Street, New London. For further information call (860) 444-7373, ext 1.

CALENDAR LISTINGS:

WHAT: Take the Stage
WHEN: Saturday, January 29, 2011, from 2 p.m. to midnight
TICKETS: Patrons choose their own admission rate. $20 special Premiere Patron tickets are available.
WHERE: Garde Arts Center, 325 State St, New London, CT 06320
BOX OFFICE: (860) 444-7373, ext. 1 or www.gardearts.org